*O’Callaghans Mills is one of the villages included in the East Clare Way. Photograph: John Mangan
A “BOGGY ROAD” along the East Clare Way has not made the cut for this year’s schedule of works.
An appeal for works to be completed on the Cloonloum Rd on the East Clare Way was issued by Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF). He detailed that the road was in “a state of disrepair” when putting forward his case.
Niamh Madden, senior executive engineer in the Killaloe Municipal District confirmed that the road was not on the current programme but would be considered for the next round of submissions. She committed to undertaking any “essential maintenance” required at the location.
In response, Cllr O’Callaghan acknowledged there was not a huge amount of volume on the road but noted that certain levels in need of improvement had deteriorated further. Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) supported the call for improvements and labelled the Cloonloum Rd as a very “boggy road”.
The East Clare Way is a long-distance 180-kilometre (112-mile) long circular route that begins and ends in Killaloe. It is typically completed in eight days. It is designated as a National Waymarked Trail by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council and is managed by East & Mid Clare Way Limited and the East Clare Way Committee.
Hills and lakes to the west of Lough Derg are explored along the circular route which also takes in the towns and villages of Kilbane, Broadford, O’Callaghans Mills, Tulla, Feakle, Flagmount, Mountshannon and Scarriff. The northern sections of the trail cross the Slieve Aughty Mountains.
A review of the National Waymarked Trails in 2010 found the proportion of road walking on the East Clare Way (53%) to be high and recommended that work be undertaken to take more of the trail off road.
